- Antique 1800s (Edo Period).
- Multiple layers of touch up paint!
- Gold paint has real gold in it... giving it that rich, deep, color!
- LOTS of patina on the reverse side from many years of cultural dancing!
- The level of patina and layers of repainting is reminiscent of the moreria (rental shops) of Guatemala!
- Patina on the front, lower, teeth is impressive and has turned them into a shiny-black-color!
- Used for dozens years (if not much longer) to get this level of patina!
- Slight loss of gofun baselayer (crushed oyster shells w/animal glue) and some paint
- Small chip to the upper head area.
- Noh Play Mask
- A mask representing a bad demon whose defeat ends in celebration.
- Muscles tense with rage, eyebrows furrowed to the extent that the upper portion of the gold eyeballs are partially hidden, a nose that juts out and blunt large teeth emphasize the scowl on this Shikami Mask.
- It derives its name from its "awful, scowling face."
- Used for demon roles who perform the strenuous Maibataraki dance such as the devil in Rashōmon, the female devil in Momijigari, the spider man in Tsuchigumo, or the god-devil in Hiun.
- It can also substitute for Yakan to represent the spirit of the death rock in Sesshōseki.
- Shikami, or a varient with sculpted bushy face hair, ikazuchi (thunder god) is used for main role in Raiden (Thunder God). When the shikami is used to depict a good demon, a court hat, kanmuri, is worn on top of the mask.
- For the play Nue a bird-like variant, either Nue or Taka, might be used.
- The mask type is attributed to Shakazuru and a fine copy bearing the stamp of the first Ono Deme master, Zekan (d. 1616), is kept by Tokyo National Museum.
- Approximately 9" T x 6" W
- Given the patina, multiple layers of paint, and lots of use, this really is deserving of a musuem.